Charts or indicators



July 3, 1956 A. R. JACKSON CHARTS OR INDICATORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJuly 15, 1952 Is I7 l5 )9 20 .6 m B W. m 9 8 7 a 5 4 5 2 wvmroxa- 5AKTHUK REX JAQK'QQN ATTORNEY y 3, 1956 A. R. JACKSON 2,752,880

CHARTS OR INDICATORS Filed July 15, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOP 7m-Hu-n K JRQ/rsa/Y A TTORNEY CHARTS R INDICATORS Arthur R. Jackson,London, England Application July 15, 1952, Serial No. 298,917

Claims priority, application Great Britain July 19, 1951 8 Claims. (Cl.116-433) This invention relates to charts or indicators generally and isprimarily although not exclusively applicable to charts of the kindgenerally known as bar charts in which a series of bars of variouscolours may be built up to display pictorially or graphically details orstatistics revelant to the running of a business, factory or otherorganisation, such as for example, details of output over a particularperiod, stocks, sales, allocations, attendances, availability of acornpanys products and so forth.

it will be appreciated that such a chart will enable a director or otherresponsible person to see at a glance how a particular production orderis proceeding through a factory from the raw material stage to the finalproduct and consequently any situation which may arise may be instantlyappreciated and the appropriate action taken.

Although many proposals have been put forward from time to time and afew have found practical application, for example, coloured discslocated in slots formed in metal panels, cords extensible over pulleysand pegged in appropriate holes formed in a board, simple pegs insertedinto holes, channels designed to receive pre-cut lengths of colouredstrips and the like, few of these previous proposals are capable ofuniversal application to the many charting and graphic display needs ofbusiness and military requirements as each such previous proposal hadonly a particular sphere of practicable application.

The chief object of the present invention is to evolve a construction ofchart or indicator having a more universal application than hithertowhich may be built up and extended on a unit basis and be operatedeasily and expeditiously and will not involve the use of loose components or parts which might be liable to become lost or accidentallydisplaced.

A chart or indicator in accordance with the present invention includes aplurality of annular discs or multisided disc-like components arrangedconcentrically side by side for individual angular movement about theiraxes, the periphery of each disc or like component being divided into aplurality of segments or divisions contrastingly coloured and/or markedwith numerals, letters or other markings, each disc or like componenthaving means for frictionally locating it in any angular position intowhich it has been moved.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readilycarried into efiect the invention is hereinafter described withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary front elevation of a bar chart in accordancewith the invention:

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same drawn to an enlarged scale:

units:

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the component parts separated.

.7 States Patent ice unit principle and includes a supporting frameindicated generally by reference numeral 1 in which the variousindicator units are mounted in juxtaposition. By build ing the bar charton the unit principle a suitable number of standardised units can beassembled! together end to end and side by side to suit particularrequirements, whilst the capacity of the bar chart can be increased ifand when required by adding further units from time to time. Each unitincludes a plurality of annular disclike components 2 whichcanconveniently be in the form of synthetic resin mouldings or metalcastings, the periphery of each disc-like component being divided intosegments, for example, five segments 3 which are coloured contrastingly,for example, black, white, red, yellow and green. The disc-likecomponents are mounted concentrically side by side in closejuxtaposition on a spindle 4 about which spindle the disc-likecomponents herein- Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of theindicator Figure 5 is an end elevation showing one of the indicatordiscs in position on its associated spindle:

after referred to as discs can be rotated as required to show anappropriate colour.

The spindle is held stationary and is carried in a boxlike casing 5 inwhich, for example, ten discs are mounted, the casing having a frontalaperture 6 of sutficient depth to expose a complete segment of colour oneach of the discs. It will, of course, generally be necessary to employa plurality of such casings complete with their associated discs andarranged end to end to build up a bar of appropriate length. It isproposed that a plurality of such casings shall be arranged end to endand mounted on a common guide rail 7, a series or" such rails beingarranged one above the other in spaced relationship so that theindicating device will show a plurality of bars one beneath the other,each bar being sub-divided into subsidiary bars of contrasting colour asmay be neces sary to meet the requirements, the general effect obtainedbeing shown in Figure 1. r

The spindle 4 on which the discs are mounted which spindle may, forexample, carry ten discs, is fluted as at 8, there being, for example,five flutes formed in the periphery of the spindle. The spindle 4 ispreferably of the general form illustrated in Figure 4 whilst the easingis formed with holes at its opposite ends to receive the spindle. a leadwhilst the hole at the opposite end of the casing if not truly circularbut provided with inwardly directed parts which enter the flutes in thespindle to prevent the latters rotation.

In the preferred form of disc illustrated each disc is produced as amoulding or extrusion, the general shape of disc being shown clearly inFigure 5 each disc being produced from a thermoplastic or thermohardening syn thetic resin material, the component including twointegral arms 9 which are curved throughout their length and are formedat their ends into the shape of annular beadlike protuberances 10 whichco-operate with the flutes in the spindle to locate. the disc in any often alternative po sitions there being five flutes in the spindle whichon rotation of the disc are successively engaged by the protuberances 10the latter coming into operation alternately. The interior of the discis so moulded as to leave a free space .11 on the. opposite sides ofeach arm so that each arm can flex the required. amount to ride out ofthe flutes P atented July 3, 1956 The spindle tapers near one end toprovide 3 as the disc is rotated whiles the disc is interiorly shaped toprovide two oppositely arranged bearing surfaces 12 of arcuate shape.

Each disc is formed around its periphery with a plurality of transversenotches 13' which separate the differently coloured or differentlymarked segments of the discs periphery the notches serving for the entryof the extremity of a pointer 14 in the manner indicated in Figure 3 orof a human finger nail. A double ended pointer with spade ends ofdifferent widths would enable more than one of the discs to be engagedand rotated together. With five colours on the periphery of the disc andfive flutes on the spindle alternately engaged by the two arms the disccan be turned to expose one colour only or half of one colour and halfof another adjacent colour.

it is preferred to mould each disc from polystyrene which is found tohave sufficient inherent springiness to ensure the required fiexure ofthe arms, the arms by their positioning being enabled to be madecomparatively long in relation to the diameter of the disc.

Although it is preferred to construct the discs as mouldings they mayalternatively be produced in the form of a long extrusion, the extrusionbeing afterwards cut at equally spaced points throughout its length toproduce a plurality of discs of the appropriate thickness.

instead of constructing the discs with integral arms, a spring may beused similar in shape to a caliper gauge, the extremities of the springbeing formed to act as detents to engage the flutes in the spindle,thereby lightly retaining the disc in its predetermined position. Tendifferent angular positions can be obtained as hitherto by providing twodetents diametrally positioned and operating in conjunction with fiveflutes in the spindle.

The coloured segments of the periphery of each disc may be produced bypainting the segments in contrasting colours or the coloured segmentsmay be in the form of inserts which are moulded separately in colouredform and subsequently secured together or to a central core part of thedisc. As a further alternative the discs may be produced from metal inthe form, for example, of die castings suitably coloured or otherwisemarked by printing or by means of transfers.

Each casing 55 is preferably produced by a moulding operation from athermo-plastic or therrno hardening synthetic resin material and isformed along its upper rear edge with an upstanding flange or rib 15which is adapted to enter a channel formed in the rail 7, each casingbeing formed. with a shoulder or protuberance 16 at each end adapted torest on the rail immediately beneath.

The casings are assembled one above the other and end to end in thesupporting frame by tilting each casing in the process of placing it inposition starting at the bottom and as the casings cannot be removedwithout first tilting them, the frame is provided with a hinged part 17extending along its upper edge which when turned upwardly about thehinge centre 18 will permit of such tilting movement. The hinged partmay be locked normally in its operative position to prevent unauthorisedremoval of the casings.

The lowermost rail is shown shaped slightly dilferently from theremainder in that it has a forwardly directed lower flange on which theshoulders 16 on the lowermost casings rest. Alternatively the lowermostcasings may rest on a part such as 17a of the frame. If desired all therails may be similar in cross-section to the lowermost rail.

Referring now to Figure 1 it will be seen that the bar chart includes onthe left hand side an index 19 giving the individual number of each itemto which the chart applies and along its upper edge with a time chart 20which in conjunction with the bars of colour exhibited give a visualindication of the number of components represented under each item invarious stages of manufacture. The time chart is calibrated in weeks andof course the chart may be of a length suflicient to cover a whole yearsoutput, if desired. The amounts will be read off from the right hand endof each bar from the numerical scale above and as the work proceeds thediscs will be turned individually to expose the required colours andgive a visual indication of how the work is proceeding through theshops.

The indexes 19 and time chart 20 may as shown in Figure 7 be associatedwith casings which do not contain discs each casing being closed at thefront by a transparent cover plate 21 which is shaped to grip the edgesof the frontal opening in the casing and to lie flush with the frontthereof, an index slip 21a being carried behind the window so formed.

As an alternative suitable clips 22 may be affixed along the upperfrontal edge of each casing, each clip containing an index plate 23, theclip and index plate in this case being applied to a casing which doesinclude a set of indicator discs.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a further modification in which an indexplate carrier 24 is of a shape and size correspondingto a plurality ofcasings, the carrier being provided with channel shaped clips 25 on itsrear face which engage the channel shaped parts of the rails 7, a Spring26 being provided at the lower end adapted to bear on one of the lowerrails and hold the parts together. The carrier is provided on its frontface with a. series of index plate holders 27.

Instead of mounting the units on rails they may be secured in any othersuitable way. For example, each unit may be provided with one or morerearwardly directed projections adapted to enter holes or slots formedin a panel or other support, the units being individually removable andreplaceable.

in Figure 10 is shown a simple electrical device for r imparting apredetermined angular movement to its associated disc. in this case thespindle i will be driven continuously at slow speed the device whichincludes a pawl in the form of a spring arm 28 terminating in a detent29 preventing consequential rotation of the disc by virtue of the entryof the detent into one of the notches 13. The device includes anclectro-magnet 3t) and on the windings of the latter being energized fora predetermined period the detent 29 will be moved clear of the notchthus permitting the disc to be turned with the spindle for a determinedperiod of time, the period of time determining the angle through whichthe disc is turned and the colour or marking which is moved into view.

It is proposed that one such device shall be associated with each discor a single device shall be provided for each row in which latter casethe spindle may be fixed and the device be of such a nature that it willin fact impart a predetermined degree of angular movement to a discopposite which it is placed, the device being slidable lengthwie of eachrow into any desired position.

The are of movement described by each disc would be controlled by a timemechanism, thus for example, if it required /5 second to move a discthrough an arc of 72 the pawl would be lifted out of engagement with thedisc and be released to re-engage upon the passage of /5 second. Theprinciple of selection and control of electrical impulses on a timecycle is well known in telephone automatic equipment and might'withadvantage be used in carrying out the present invention.

One application of the invention would be the transmission ofstatistical and other data from a remote point so as to enable this tobe set up in graphical form on the chart or indicator or a number ofsuch charts or indicators could be controlled from one master station.In this way the latest production situation could simultaneously beelectro-mechanically plotted in the (a) factory line, (b) planningofiice, (0) Works Managers Office and (d) Headquarters control. Similarinformation could from time to time be given in respect of sales andfinancial data.

A further application of the invention is to achieve a link up withaccounting machine mechanisms so that the operation of the machine inthe compilation of figures in register boxes would simultaneously bereflected in graphical form on the visual indicating devices, or wherethe indicator was employed to show figure markings a reproduction of thefigures in the machine registers could be simultaneously set up on theindicator boards. Such a link up as is envisaged in carrying out thepresent invention could also make use of punched card accountingmechanisms which are characterised by the passage of pre-punched cardsthrough selecting mechanisms actuated by the position of the holespunched in the cards. A simultaneous actuation of the indicating deviceswould be achieved.

instead of either of the electrical controls hereinbefore described anyother form of remote control mechanism may be employed which may bewholly mechanical or may even take the form of radio transmissionthrough the ether.

Instead of using coloured segments the discs alternatively can havenumerals around the periphery so that the device can also be used as acounter or a combination of colour charting and numerals.

Alternatively the colours themselves can be employed as a numericalcode, for example, black might indicate numeral 0, white 2, red 4,yellow 6 and green 8. Odd numbers, i. e. 1 might be indicated byblackzwhite, whilst white2red might indicate 3, redzyellow 5, yellow:green 7 and greenzblack 9.

Although normally the spindles carrying the discs would be fixed it maybe so arranged that they could be revolved together with theirassociated discs so as to turn up a whole line of colourssimultaneously, a detent anchored to the box engaging the flutes of thespindle to hold the latter in any of the five positions and a knurleddisc, for example, being associated with the spindle to enable it to beeasily rotated.

For example, the discs may be individually locked against rotation, thespindle being slowly revolved continuously or intermittently by anelectricmotor or other source of power. By releasing the appropriatedisc or discs for a predetermined period they will as a result of theengagement of one of their arms with a flute in the spindle be movedangularly, the angle through which they are moved depending upon lengthof the period of release.

Although in the construction described five segments of colour or othermarkings and ten positions of rotation are referred to any number ofsegments and rotational stops may be provided for special applications.

The units will normally be mounted on rails and slidable thereon for twopurposes, in the first case to make the device more adaptable to enablethe user to mount up any desirable combination of indexing casings orcoloured or numeral carrying disc casings. In the second case thearrangement makes provision for the lateral displacement of chartedinformation. For example, a contract may be broken down into its mainconstituents by colour bars against a calendar scale showing how longeach operation is planned to take. The contract, for example, may beplanned to take 100 days, but the relationship to the calendar willdepend on the starting dates. if these are altered the line of units canbe slidden along the rails to the new data alignment without re-settingthe individual discs. Similarly, a series of jobs can be loaded to afactory machine tool, colour bars of appropriate time length being setup for each job. If the estimate of time for any particular job isdiminished or exceeded the clock timing of the succeeding job ismanifestly altered from the estimate, the line of units representing thetotal load of any one machine being then slidden along the rails to theadjusted clock timing. Notwithstanding the desirability of slidablemounting of the units there may arise conditions where a more permanentfixing of the position of units is desirable. Units can be screwed downto panels or walls or they may be furnished with tongues for engagementinto slots perforated in the supportnig medium which may be in the formof continuous strips or panels or any other appropriate manner. Anysuitable means may be provided for locking the boxes in any adjustedposition and for locking the discs against unauthorised rotationalmovement.

Instead of the information being read from left to right and obtainedfrom the units comprising a horizontal row the information may be readvirtually in columnar form the column or columns being built up fromdiscs in the rows of units arranged one above the other.

I claim:

1. A bar chart comprising a supporting frame, elongate open ended guidemeans fixed in said frame, a plurality of indicator units slidablyinsertable into and withdrawable from opposite ends of said guide meansand supported by the latter in end to end relation with respect to eachother, each of said indicator units being withdrawable from one end ofsaid guide means for insertion in the other end thereof to shift theremaining indicator units along said guide means, each of said unitscomprising. a casing having at the front thereof a longitudinallyarranged sight window, a plurality of coaxially arranged indicator discsdisposed in abutting relation with each other and mounted in said casingfor controlled individual rotational movement, each of said discs beingprovided about its periphery with a plurality of differently coloredsegments, said segments each being of a Width approximately equal to thewidth of said sight window so that a bar of a particular color isobservable through the sight windows of the casings and can be of anyselected length as determined by rotational movement of the individualdiscs, means for locking said discs against accidental rotationalmovement and permitting of such movement for setting said discs, andvisual index means associated with said discs to enable an observer toread information pictorially portrayed by the length and color of thebar made up by the segments of discs observable through the sightwindows in the casings.

2. A chart according to claim 1, further characterized by a flutedspindle fixed in each of said casings for rotatably supporting saiddiscs, and resilient means associated with each of said discs andcooperating with the flutes of said spindles to hold the discs relativeto the spindles.

3. The device of claim 2, said resilient means comprising at least oneinwardly directed arm on each of said discs and engageable in saidflutes to locate the associated disc against accidental displacementwhile permitting of angular movement when desired.

4. A bar chart comprising a supporting frame, a plurality ofindividually replaceable and interchangeable indicator units mounted insaid frame in end to end relation with respect to each other, each ofsaid units comprising a casing having at the front thereof alongitudinally arranged sight window, a plurality of co-axially arrangedindicator discs disposed in abutting relation with each other andmounted in said casing for controlled individual rotational movement,each of said discs being provided about its periphery with a pluralityof differently colored segments, said segments each being of a widthapproximately equal to the width of said sight window so that a bar of aparticular color is observable through the sight window of the casingsand can be of any selected length as determined by rotational movementof the individual discs, means for locking said discs against accidentalrotational movement and permitting of such movement for setting saiddiscs, visual index means associated with said discs to enable anobserver to read information pictorially portrayed by the length andcolor of the bar made up by the segments of discs observable through thesight windows in the casings, a fluted spindle fixed in said casing forrotatably supporting said discs, and resilient means associated witheach of said discs and cooperating with the flutes of said spindle tohold the discs in relation to the spindle, said resilient meanscomprising at least one inwardly directed arm on each of said discs andengageable in said flutes to locate the associated disc againstaccidental displacement while permitting of angular movement whendesired, each of said discs and its associated arm being integrallyformed of synthetic resin material, said arms being constructed andproportioned to be inherently resilient.

5. A device according to claim 4, each of said discs being generallyannular in configuration and having its inner surface formed withopposed, arcuate bearing surfaces for engagement with the peripheralsurface of its supporting spindle, said arms extending inwardlyintermediate said. bearing surfaces and being provided on their freeinner ends with enlarged portions for reception in said flutes.

6. A device according to claim 5, each of said spindles being formedwith an odd number of flutes, and each of said discs being formed withtwo arms, whereby said discs may be moved into a number of positionstwice that of said flutes and be held in each of said positions byengagement of one of said arms in one of said flutes.

7. A device according to claim 2, each of said casings being integrallyformed of synthetic resin and having its opposite ends adapted tonon-rotatably support one of said spindles, each of said casings beinginternally of a length equal to the combined thicknesses of thecontained discs.

8. A bar chart comprising a supporting frame, a plurality ofindividually replaceable and interchangeable indicator units mounted insaid frame in end to end relation with respect to each other, each ofsaid units comprising a casing having at the front thereof alongitudinally arranged sight window, a plurality of coaxially arrangedindicator discs disposed in abutting relation with each other andmounted in said casing for controlled individual rotational movement,each of said discs being provided about its periphery with a pluralityof segments each having characteristic indicia, said segments each beingof a width approximately equal to the width of said sight window so thata series of a particular indicia is observable through the sight windowsof the casings and can be of any selected length as determined byrotational movement of the individual discs, means for locking saiddiscs against accidental rotational movement and permitting of suchmovement for setting said discs, and individual index means associatedwith said discs to enable an observer to read information portrayed bythe length and indicia of the series made up by the segments of discsobservable through the sight windows in the casings, said framecomprising a plurality of vertically spaced downwardly opening channelsfor supporting a plurality of said casings in superposed relation withan adjacent upper casing seated on each channel and an adjacent lowercasing partially received in the respective channel, each of saidcasings being removable from its supporting channels by forward upwardswinging movement out of its seating engagement with the adjacent lowerchannel and rearward downward swinging movement out of the adjacentupper channel, and a movable frame part adapted for abutting engagementwith the upper one of said superposed casings for holding said casingsagainst forward upward swinging movement and removal from said channels,said frame part being movable to permit said casings to be swung andremoved from said frame.

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